It was necessary that this, a blunder by the opposing goalkeeper, was the victory for Paris Saint-Germain on a night when their attackers were failing to score. The capital club won their first Champions League game of the season on Wednesday 18 September against Girona (1-0), thanks to a twist of fate in the last minute of the match. A ball slipped through the gloves of Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, and went under his legs and into the goal. The jubilation and relief could be mixed with the noise at the Parc des Princes.
The biggest European competition was back on the Paris stage, but the feeling was completely different. There was no tifo or atmosphere of a major European evening, because the Auteuil curve, where members of the Ultras Paris collective set the tone in the stands, was closed. UEFA sanctioned the use of smoke bombs during the C1 semi-final against Borussia Dortmund on 7 May. On the pitch, too, PSG did not show the European face that was expected of them.
Throughout the match, the Parisian attackers forgot to activate Champions League mode, where the level is raised compared to Ligue 1, which the capital club already dominates, with sixteen goals scored in four victories. This convincing start to the season had validated the direction taken by Luis Enrique and his management: a less ostentatious team, with a marked playing identity and more focused on the collective.
A more consistent second period
The transition after the departure of Kylian Mbappé, who scored 44 goals last season, began without problems. The threat in attack must now come from everywhere and the reception to Girona, who were playing the first Champions League match in their history, was a good opportunity to demonstrate this. Especially since the club arrived loaded with uncertainties, having been swept aside last weekend by FC Barcelona (1-4).
Apart from a few minutes at the start of the second half, marked by a save by PSG’s Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov after a header by Cristhian Stuani (52′).my)-, Girona did not worry Paris. But Luis Enrique’s players faltered offensively. The first half was a failure, as was the performance of Bradley Barcola, who had been in decline for two games. “The first half was difficult, but I really enjoyed the second half when we were infinitely superior”said Luis Enrique.
The second half was certainly more consistent, and more lively (20 shots), but was still marked by the blatant inefficiency of the Parisians. This deficiency was reminiscent of the performances of the French national team during the European Championship, in which Ousmane Dembélé took part. The 27-year-old winger had set his sights in recent weeks (four goals, three assists in six games). Against Girona, he stood out for his lack of efficiency, certainly shooting eight times, but often going wide.
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